N. Merrick Library Board Welcomes Behrens, Discusses Renovation Projects

The North Merrick Library's Board of Trustees welcomed a new face Tuesday night as Barbara Behrens took her place on the five-member board.

Behrens, elected to the seat in April, eased gracefully into the position, speaking up on several topics and at one point drawing laughter from her colleagues after a unanimous vote to participate in a Hope for Youth duffle bag drive.

"I have to be quicker to get my hand up," Behrens joked.  "I'll never be able to make any motions." 

In a bit of housekeeping before Tuesday's meeting, the board also voted to reinstall William Pezzulo and Marion Schurade as president and vice president of the board, respectively. Pezzulo is now in his fifth year on the board, while Schurade has served for three years.  

In board news:

• The board heard a report from treasurer Arthur Venezia, who reported that for the last fiscal year, which ended on June 30, the library spent $1.86 million, more than $290,000 less than its $2.15 million adopted budget.  Library revenues for the year were $38,630 higher than expected, Venezia said.
• Construction is expected to begin in September on renovating the library's bathrooms to put them in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act.  Library director Tom Witt secured a $19,000 grant from the state to help fund the cost of that project. 
• The board approved expenditures of $15,000 to All Island Telecom to replace the library's telephone system and $3,600 to Verizon to install Wi-Fi Internet access throughout the library.   "And the library moves into the technology age," Pezzulo joked after those votes. 
• Witt said the board would likely decide in August or September as to when to put a $6.8 million library renovation project up for a public vote. 
• Pezzulo directed Witt to put the word out to the local schools that the library would like to display more artwork on its walls.  "It would give nice and color and presentation to the library," Pezzulo said. 
• Witt reported that circulation at the library is up 3.2 percent compared to last June, and 7.9 percent year-to-date. 
• Pezzulo read a letter from Alexa O'Kane, who just finished fifth grade in Mrs. Strow's class at Old Mill Road School.  Alexa, as part of a class project, chose the library to receive her "Community Pride Award."  In her letter, Alexa wrote in part: "One reason I picked the library is that you provide fun programs for toddlers, kids, tweens, teens, and adults. If someone ever needs help find anything the librarians are always very helpful."
• Tom Erwin, of T-Mobile, the company seeking approval from the board to lease property from the library for a cell tower in the form of a flag pole, is expected to make a presentation to the board at its August 17 meeting at 8 p.m.